Paris: The Musical Kaleidoscope, 1870-1925

Continually shifting from one set of relationships to another, this readable but superficial survey of Parisian musical life extends roughly from the death of Berlioz to the deaths of Faure and Satie. Saying little that is profound or original, Brody, who teaches at New York University and is familiar to viewers of early-morning TV, discusses connections between music, poetry, dance and the visual arts. Here are disparate, anecdotal chapters about musicians who painted, drew and wrote; writers and artists who played musical instruments; dancers who commissioned compositions; music in cabarets, cafes and at world's fairs; the influence of Wagner and Orientalism; Spanish, Russian and American musicians who lived and worked in Paris; and the Belgian group known as The Twenty. The one ""new'' aspect of the book is the reproduction of journal entries by Spanish pianist Ricardo Vines. In the final section, Brody briefly describes well-known ``masterpieces'' of French music. Illustrations. (September 4)